Jags general manager Dave Caldwell broke the news to Mathis in a phone conversation Tuesday.

"It was a difficult decision because he's done so many things not
only for the team but the community," Caldwell said after a fan event at
EverBank Field.

A second-round pick in 2003, Mathis intercepted 30 passes in 137
games, but hasn't been healthy lately. He missed 11 games the last two
years because of knee injuries, and only started four games last year.

Between his health and age, it's hard to know if anyone will take a
chance on him, considering his value was probably higher in Jacksonville
than it was anywhere else.